MANILA— The government has established around 3,000 solar-powered pump irrigation systems nationwide as part of efforts to reduce farmers’ fuel expenses, improve agricultural productivity and prepare for the anticipated effects of El Niño, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Friday.

Marcos made the statement during the inauguration of the Tugbong Solar Pump Irrigation Project (SPIP) in Barangay Tugbong, Kananga, Leyte, where he emphasized the administration’s push to expand affordable and reliable irrigation amid rising fuel prices and the threat of severe drought.

“Kaya’t patuloy po ang inyong pamahalaan at nakakatiyak po kayo na lahat ng maaari nating gawin para makapaghanda sa Super El Niño kung tawagin, ay para makapaghanda diyan sa tagtuyot na parating,” the President said.

The Tugbong facility will provide irrigation to 115 hectares of rice fields in Barangays Tugbong and Sto. Niño in Kananga. Another project inaugurated in Leyte, the Guintigui-an SPIP in Ormoc City, will cover 70 hectares of farmland and benefit 87 farmers.

Marcos said solar-powered irrigation could save farmers about P20,000 in diesel expenses, allowing them to allocate the savings to household needs and other farming costs.

A more dependable water supply could also enable farmers to increase their planting cycles from two to three annually, potentially boosting harvests and income, he added.

The Department of Agriculture is also distributing smaller solar-powered water pumps to help farmers further reduce irrigation expenses, according to the President.

Marcos said irrigation facilities now cover approximately 70% of the country’s agricultural land suitable for irrigation, underscoring the administration’s efforts to modernize the sector since he assumed office in 2022.

Beyond solar-powered systems, the government is accelerating the construction of irrigation facilities, water impounding projects and water distribution networks to mitigate the effects of prolonged dry spells on agricultural production and household water supplies.

The administration is also developing water impounding facilities and dams that could support fish production and generate hydroelectric power.

Marcos assured farmers that the government would continue implementing measures to protect their livelihoods against the anticipated effects of El Niño.

“Huwag ninyong iniisip na napapabayaan kayo, hindi po namin kayo pinababayaan. Araw-araw, gabi-gabi ay iniisip po namin kung papaano pagandahin ang inyong mga buhay,” he said.

The TONAY Solar Irrigators Association Inc., which has 66 farmer-members, will operate and maintain the Tugbong SPIP. Some of its members attended the inauguration.

National Irrigation Administration Administrator Eduardo Guillen, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and local government officials were also present at the event.